Do all graphics cards work with all operating systems?

Sir B. Fannybottom · Jul 17, 2011

I've used a AGP 6800 GT on windows 7. It will work.

Jstn7477 · Jul 17, 2011

guitarguy said:
ok so after i do get all my components plugged in i do install the operating system first? then the drivers for the different components, e.g. the graphics card? i have absolutely no idea how to install stuff without a OS installed, when you first power up (without a OS) is there not just a black screen?

Yes, once everything hardware wise is installed and you are turning on the PC for the first time, then you should install the operating system. Since no operating system will be found on the hard drive, your board will automatically switch to the DVD drive with your Win7 disc inserted. When it tells you to, press a key to boot from the CD and follow the onscreen instructions. Within 30 minutes or so, your OS should be installed, and you can then install drivers, programs, and Windows Updates once Windows has finished installing. Windows 7 usually has enough drivers to get you online, but be sure to insert the CD that came with your motherboard and install all those drivers as well. Windows Update may also find some drivers for you as well.

Good luck, and be sure to ask if you have any issues you are running in to.

AphexDreamer · Jul 18, 2011

guitarguy said:
ok so after i do get all my components plugged in i do install the operating system first? then the drivers for the different components, e.g. the graphics card? i have absolutely no idea how to install stuff without a OS installed, when you first power up (without a OS) is there not just a black screen?

Yes you will need to install the OS first. It is from the OS that you get all the basic drivers that allow you to get the basic function from your hardware the moment you plug them in or install them.

Quick Three Step guide. Kind of vague. I assume you have some knowledge of this stuff... If you don't then you will want to research each step one by one till you understand it all.

Step 1: Build PC.
Put everything together and make sure every wire is where it should be.

Step 2: Install the Operating System of your choice.
This is usually done by putting the DVD/CD of the OS in a DVD/CD Rom Drive and then make sure (if not by default) that you set boot priority to said DVD/CD Rom Drive (Done via BIOS) which then has you press any key to begin boot from the CD in that Drive. After that follow the steps as instructed by the OS Installation screen.

Step 3: Start installing the drivers for each specific peace of hardware that requires it.
Stuff like the CPU and monitor don't require a driver for you to install and work right away. However, stuff like your Ethernet card or integrated Ethernet might require you install the driver from the CD first then once that works you will be able to connect to the internet (Assuming you have an ISP) and download the rest of the latest drivers for your hardware.

After step 3 Enjoy your PC

Get some games on there or start doing whatever it is you built your PC for.

System Name	The SwagMachine / The Sister
Processor	Core i5 3570K @5.2ghz 1.3V/ 1100T
Motherboard	ASUS P8Z77-V / ASUS M5A99X EVO
Cooling	Phanteks PH TC14PE / Corsair H40
Memory	M379B5273DH0-YK0 2X4GB + PVI316G213C1QK 2X4GB / 2x4GB Patriot 2133
Video Card(s)	PNY 780Ti /Windforce 7950
Storage	2xSamsung 840 EVO 250gb+WD10EZEX + WD30EZRX/ 1x WD1500 Black
Display(s)	AOC Q2963PM+Acer S200HL / Acer S200L+ LG 22LD350
Case	Fractal Define R4 / NZXT Trinity
Audio Device(s)	Asus Xonar DG / Asus Xonar DG
Power Supply	Seasonic 750X / ROSEWILL RG630-S12 630W R
Mouse	Razer Deathadder Chroma / Roccat Kone+
Keyboard	Razer Blackwidow 2013 Stealth / Roccat Isku
Software	Windows 8.1 Pro / Windows 7 Ultimate
Benchmark Scores	one time I scored a 3 on 3dmark 11

System Name	Awesomesauce 4.3 \| Laptop (MSI GE72VR 6RF Apache Pro-023)
Processor	Intel Core i7-5820K 4.16GHz 1.28v/3GHz 1.05v uncore \| Intel Core i7-6700HQ @ 3.1GHz
Motherboard	Gigabyte GA-X99-UD5 WiFi LGA2011-v3\| Stock
Cooling	Corsair H100i v2 w/ 2x EK Vardar F4-120ER + various 120/140mm case fans \| Stock
Memory	G.Skill RJ-4 16GB DDR4-2666 CL15 quad channel \| 12GB DDR4-2133
Video Card(s)	EVGA GTX 1080 Ti Hybrid SC2 11GB @ 2012/5151 boost \| NVIDIA GTX 1060 6GB +200/+500 + Intel 530
Storage	Samsung 840 EVO 500GB + Seagate 3TB 7200RPM + others \| Kingston 256GB M.2 SATA + 1TB 7200RPM
Display(s)	Acer G257HU 1440p 60Hz AH-IPS 4ms \| 17.3" 1920*1080 60Hz wide angle TN notebook panel
Case	Fractal Design Define XL R2 \| MSI
Audio Device(s)	Creative Sound Blaster Z \| Realtek with quad stereo speakers and subwoofer
Power Supply	Corsair HX850i Platinum \| 19.5v 180w Delta brick
Software	Windows 10 Pro x64 \| Windows 10 Home x64

System Name	Unknown
Processor	AMD Bulldozer FX8320 @ 4.4Ghz
Motherboard	Asus Crosshair V
Cooling	XSPC Raystorm 750 EX240 for CPU
Memory	8 GB CORSAIR Vengeance Red DDR3 RAM 1922mhz (10-11-9-27)
Video Card(s)	XFX R9 290
Storage	Samsung SSD 254GB and Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s
Display(s)	AOC 23" @ 1920x1080 + Asus 27" 1440p
Case	HAF X
Audio Device(s)	X Fi Titanium 5.1 Surround Sound
Power Supply	750 Watt PP&C Silencer Black
Software	Windows 8.1 Pro 64-bit

Do all graphics cards work with all operating systems?

Sir B. Fannybottom

Jstn7477

AphexDreamer